Tornado warnings empty Wrigley Field

CHICAGO – A powerful storm led to tornado warnings in downtown Chicago and the evacuation of fans from the stands at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Monday night.

The National Weather Service had not confirmed any tornado touchdowns. But it says trained spotters reported high-rotation winds in DeKalb and Kane counties in northeastern Illinois, where widespread tree and power line damage was reported.

Fans at the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros game were evacuated from Wrigley Field’s stands into the stadium concourse as tornado sirens blared throughout the city.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bob Sejnoha of Algonquin, who was at the Cubs game.

Passengers at O’Hare International Airport were evacuated into the lower levels of the complex’s buildings. All flights were temporarily halted, and travelers who had already boarded airplanes were taken off as the storm struck, then led to the lower levels as a precaution.

“It was pretty cramped down there, the whole terminal was down there,” said George Wickens, 50, of London, who was trying to travel to Florida with his family. “I don’t think anything will be getting out of Chicago tonight.”

More than 200,000 people in northern Illinois were without power, a ComEd spokesman said.

Meteorologist Brad Churchill said 60 to 80 mph winds were expected.